NUTS 37 
enormous proportion of oil. This, although of use as food, 
renders nuts more difficult of digestion than grains, and 
causes them to spoil with keeping after a comparatively 
short time. 
Fic. 24.—Chestnut (Castanea sativa, Beech Family, Fagacee). A leafy 
twig, bearing flower-clusters composed mostly of yellowish, staminate 
flowers with a few greenish pistillate flowers near the base. About 
one-quarter natural size. (Baillon.)—The plant is one of the largest 
forest trees of the north temperate zone, sometimes in forests attain- 
ing a height of 30 m. Bark, on the trunk and older branches, dark, 
very hard, and with long deep clefts; when younger smooth and lighter 
colored; young twigs deep green, bronzed or purplish brown, covered 
with whitish dots. Leaves, polished, bright green above, smooth and 
paler below. 
In spite of their disadvantages, however, chestnuts, wal- 
- nuts, and peanuts form a very important part of the food of 
many Europeans, largely taking the place of cereals. In 
many tropical regions where cereals do not grow, immense 
